Justice, Grace, and Mercy

 

Isaiah 30:18

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are those who wait for Him.

 

This verse says that God is gracious, merciful and just. We don’t normally combine grace and mercy with justice.

 

Justice is not just punishing the wrong doers; it also means to show favor to the people.

 

On the last week of Jesus’ earthly life, the scribes and chief priests wanted to arrest Jesus so they sent spies to try to trap Jesus into saying something that could be used to accuse Him.

 

In Luke 20:21 this is what they say to Jesus, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully.”

 

Even Jesus’ enemies recognized that Jesus spoke and taught what was right, that it was not influenced by others’ opinions, and He taught the way of God truthfully. They recognized that Jesus was just.

 

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is recognizing that God is just.

 

So, how does Jesus bring grace, mercy, and justice together? He does it on the cross.

 

1 Peter 3:18

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.

 

Jesus who was just died for us who were not just.

 

That is mercy. Mercy is not giving us what we deserved. What was deserved because of our sin was condemnation and judgment and ultimately eternal separation from God.

 

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is recognizing that God is merciful.

 

2 Corinthians 5:21

For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

 

Jesus who was sinless died for us who are sinful and makes us the righteousness of God.

 

That is grace. Grace is giving more than we deserve. We deserve death and hell but God gave us righteousness which means we are right with God and will spend eternity with Him.

 

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is recognizing that God is gracious.

 

It was on the cross that God judged sin. It was on the cross that Jesus took the judgment because of our sin upon Himself and took the punishment that we deserved.

 

It was on the cross that God punished our sin – justice - but put the punishment on Jesus - grace and mercy.

 

God’s justice does not limit His grace and mercy.

God’s grace and mercy restrict His justice.

God’s justice and grace and mercy are not in opposition; they complement.

 

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is recognizing that our God is a God of justice and mercy and grace.

 

Since God is a God of justice and grace and mercy, what does that mean for us as His followers?

 

It means that we are to show to others justice and grace and mercy.

 

Acts 4:32-35

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection from the dead of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

 

The gospel produces a concern for the poor and hurting and outcast.

The deeds of justice gain credibility for the preaching of the gospel.

Justification by faith leads to doing justice, and doing justice can make the many seek to be justified by faith.

 

The church of Jesus needs to be characterized by justice, grace, and mercy. These three traits when combined will enable the church to impact the world in such a way that people will come seeking Jesus.

 

With Justice, Grace, and Mercy Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls

                                                      Joe

Lessons from Growing Older

 

This will be a different kind of devotion. I love the Word of God and I try each week to build the devotion around the Word of God and not my opinion or my preferences. But this week two events took place that have caused me to reflect on things.

 

The first one occurred on Thursday, February 18. I had a birthday and God has used my birthdays to help me to reflect on life and to evaluate my relationship with Jesus.

 

The second thing that occurred this week is happening as I write this devotion. This marks the end of ten years writing Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls. This is also a time that God is using to help me to reflect and evaluate.

 

God impressed upon me three things and, of course, three scripture passages.

 

The first is Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”

 

I hate COVID-19. It has caused harm to families through the death on love ones. It has caused harm to people’s lives by the loss of jobs and businesses. It has caused harm to our nation by creating anger and division.

 

I thought it caused harm in the church, but what it has definitely caused is change. It forces us to try new technology and do traditional ministries in a different way. The result has been more effectiveness in ministry, more focused in what we do & greater numbers reached.

 

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is believing God is working for our good in the midst of what looks like chaos.

 

The second is Habakkuk 1:2-5, “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you ‘Violence!’ and You will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.” Then God answers, “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”

 

I have complained to God with many of the same issues that Habakkuk did over the last year. God was saying to Habakkuk and to me, “I have got this. You need to chill and trust Me and move when I tell you to move and wait on Me when I tell you to wait.” It is not my job to change the world but to cooperate with God as He changes me and then uses me to do His work.

 

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is taking my concerns to God and trusting and cooperating with Him to work and change what needs to be changed.

 

The third is Acts 17:26, “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwelling.”

 

The divisions I see in our nation over race find their solution in the gospel of Jesus. It is in the gospel that we find the truth that we are all of the same blood because we are created by one Creator, Jesus. It is in following Jesus that we find the way to overcome racial injustice and prejudice. We as the church need to take the lead.

 

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is looking to the gospel to be the solution to the social problems we are facing.

 

I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know Who holds each day of our future.

 

Following Jesus by Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls,

                                              Joe

I Shall Not Want

 

Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

 

Since the Lord is my Shepherd, then I shall not want. The word “want” as used in this verse has a broader meaning than might appear at first reading as not having any deficiency. It also means being utterly contented in the Shepherd’s care and consequently not craving or desiring anything more.

 

David writes this passage and David was a man who had experienced great need. Saul had pursued David for a long time and David’s son led a revolt against him. So, David knew what it was to live with great need.

 

“I shall not want” does not mean that a child of God will never experience need. One of the fallacies that is common among Christians today is the belief that if a person is prospering it is a significant mark of God’s blessing on their life.

 

David is saying that even amid hardships I can boast that I don’t lack the expert and compassionate care of my Shepherd.

 

The key to not living in want is who your Shepherd or Master is.

 

Matthew 6:24

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

 

A sheep can only belong to one shepherd. The sheep can only be loyal to one shepherd.

 

The same is true for us. We can have only one Shepherd. We cannot serve two masters. If we try, we will end up hating one and loving the other or being devoted to one and despising the other. No person can serve Jesus and anything else.

 

We have to choose to make Jesus our one and only Shepherd and Master.

 

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is following and obeying Jesus as our only Master.

 

John 10:27

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

 

When we commit ourselves to Jesus as our Shepherd, three things become true.

 

We can hear and recognize the voice of Jesus our Shepherd.

We can be assured that Jesus knows us and thus know our needs.

We can follow Jesus as our Shepherd because we know He knows us and will meet our needs.

 

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is committing ourselves to Jesus as our Shepherd and trusting Him to meet our needs.

 

John 10:11-13

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

 

The reason that Jesus as our Good Shepherd desires to meet our needs is because He is the Shepherd and not a hired hand. He owns us and wants the best for us. He will not abandon us because He loves us as His sheep.

 

He as our Good Shepherd lays down His life for us, His sheep. He not only is will to lay down His life for us, He did lay down His life for us.

 

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is experiencing Jesus as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for us, His sheep.

 

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

 

The thief, Satan, comes to steal our joy, to kill our security, and to destroy our contentment. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, comes to give us abundant life. Life that is abundant does not have to be filled with material wealth. It is a life filled with joy, security, and contentment.

 

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is experiencing joy, security, and contentment in life by following Jesus as our Good Shepherd.

 

Jesus calls us to follow Him as our Shepherd so that we will live our life with no want.

 

With Jesus as My Shepherd Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls,

                                               Joe

The Lord is My Shepherd

 

There are some Bible passages that we only use in certain situations like weddings or funerals or baby dedications. One of those passages is Psalm 23. I have used it at funerals but rarely in other situations.

 

This Psalm shows the truth of God’s love.

This Psalm shows the power of God’s love.

This Psalm shows the beauty of God’s Love.

 

The Lord is my shepherd.

 

Who is the Lord our shepherd?

 

Psalm 80:1

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.

 

Our Shepherd is God the Father. Our Shepherd, God the Father, desires a relationship with the sheep.

 

John 10:11

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 

 

Our Shepherd is Jesus. Our Shepherd, Jesus, lays down His life for the sheep.

 

John 16:13

When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will take what is mine and declare it to you.

 

Our Shepherd is the Holy Spirit. Our Shepherd, the Hoy Spirit, guides the sheep.

 

Our Shepherd the Lord God:

The Father, the originator of all that exists, had all of creation in His mind.

Jesus, the artisan, brought into existence all that the Father had in His mind.

The Holy Spirit, the revealer, gives us understanding that makes the truth real to us.

 

Does the Lord have the credentials to be our Shepherd?

 

Psalm 50:10-11

For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.

 

Our Shepherd knows and owns all the animals in the world. He is the Creator.

 

Psalm 91:1

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

 

Our Shepherd is the Most High and the Almighty. He is all-powerful.

 

Psalm 109:21

But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for Your name’s sake; out of the goodness of Your love, deliver me.

 

Our Shepherd is sovereign. No one has power or authority over Him; no can tell Him what to do or stop Him from doing what He wills.

 

Why does our Shepherd want us to come under His care, as His sheep?

 

1 John 4:10

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

 

God our Shepherd wants us under His care because He loves us and He laid down His life for us.

 

Psalm 84:11

For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.

 

God wants our good. He uses everything in our lives, good and bad, for our good.

 

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit is our Shepherd. He is Creator and thus owns all of creation. He is all-powerful and thus He has the power to provide and protect us. He is sovereign and no one can hinder Him from caring for us. He loves us and wants the best for us.

 

The Lord is my shepherd. I pray that He is your shepherd too. My you experience God as your Shepherd.

 

With God as My Shepherd Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls,

                                                   Joe